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All White Party hits Kumasi this Xmas

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All White Party

Revelers looking to dance the night away and having an unbridled fun, must turn to no other event but the All White party this Christmas on the 25th December.

The event which promises to be fun filled, interlaced with good music, drinks, network and also an opportunity to destress and let your hair down during the festive occasion.

According to event organisers, it is the official Christmas party which is expected to light up Kumasi and are entreating patrons and fun lovers to block the date.

“It is organized every year, we want to promote our drinks, one of the premium brands[Takai], the event will also be used to open the new pub[ The Pitch] so I am entreating everyone to come in their numbers because the event will be rocking” Afua Boafoa, the media relation manager at GIHOC told B&FT in an interview.

Widely regarded as the biggest social event in the calendar, Christmas parties or gathering is eagerly anticipated by friends, clients and colleagues alike and the metropolis of Kumasi would be no different.

The Managing Director for GIHOC Distilleries, Maxwell Kofi Jumah expressed his excitement about the upcoming event and indicated that the company is poised to provide its brands including Takai at the event and urged patrons to troop to the place on 25th December.

GIHOC Distilleries is one of the alcoholic sponsors at the late Asantehemaa’s funeral, with the official drink at the funeral Kaiser aromatic schnapps, being one of their flagship products.

Medication non adherence and its implications (I)

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Dzifa Dey

Medication adherence is defined by the World Health Organization as “the degree to which the person’s behavior corresponds with the agreed recommendations from a health care provider.

The treatment of chronic illnesses like autoimmune conditions commonly includes the long-term use of drugs. Although these medications are known to be effective in combating disease, their full benefits are often not achieved because about 30 to 60percent of patients do not take their medications as prescribed.

Successful management of chronic diseases, like lupus, involves a partnership based on a mutual understanding of specific treatment goals, which is the best way to minimize morbidity and improve clinical outcomes.

Why is Adherence Important?

Ward et al. showed that Lupus patients who participated more actively in their care had less organ damage over a median follow-up period of 4.7 years(1).

Nonadherence with medication regimens may result in increased use of medical resources, such as physician visits, laboratory tests, unnecessary additional treatments, emergency department visits, and hospital or nursing home admissions. Nonadherence may also result in treatment failure.

In one study, one-third of older persons admitted to the hospital had a history of nonadherence. Antibiotic resistance is mainly driven by non-adherence and non-compliance with treatment schedules.

Improving adherence with medication regimens can make a difference. A recently published study by Sokol et al found that for a number of chronic medical conditions – diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and congestive heart failure – higher rates of medication adherence were associated with lower rates of hospitalization , and a reduction in total medical costs

What Causes Non-Adherence to Treatment?

With the invention of “Doctor Google”, patients have a wide range of information about disease and treatments, though some of the information may be purely hogwash, some patients may be gullible and believe all that is on the internet. Bad news sells and so the negative reports of drug side effects is what patients tend to believe or are more likely to see. This makes them have reservation about taking treatments prescribed.

The African is an especially spiritual being and would prefer to seek spiritual or herbalist treatment over more orthodox medication believing most often erroneously that they don’t have any side effects.

Patient would happily come to see the doctor carrying samples of very expensive herbs, supplements and magnetic gadgets, to substitute for her regular orthodox medications which may cost far less and have been proven by science to work. But guess which they would prefer to spend money on?

Financial problems, fear of side effects, difficulty navigating the public health system and perceived treatment inefficacy as important barriers to adherence.

 

What Contributes To This Problem?

Doctors frequently underestimate the problem of nonadherence in their patients and so find it impossible to correct the problem. (2).

Factors contributing to poor medication intake are numerous and include those that are connected to patients (e.g., low  health knowledge and lack of involvement in the treatment decision–making process), those that are related to doctors (e.g., prescription of complex drug regimens, communication barriers, ineffective communication of information about adverse effects, and provision of care by multiple physicians who recommend different treatments), and those that are related to health care systems (e.g., doctor consultation  time limitations, limited access to care, and lack of health information technology)(3).

Reference

  1. Chambers SA, Rahman A, Isenberg DA. Treatment adherence and clinical outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology. 2007;46(6):895-8.
  2. Atreja A, Bellam N, Levy SR. Strategies to Enhance Patient Adherence: Making it Simple. Medscape General Medicine. 2005;7(1):4-.
  3. Brown MT, Bussell JK. Medication Adherence: WHO Cares? Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86(4):304-14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTN launches Apps Challenge 5.0v

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MTN Apps Challenge

MTN Ghana has launched the 5.0 version of the Apps Challenge which seeks to bring together app developers, animators and tech enthusiasts for a chance to create products which would bring in value and advance the tech scene in Ghana.

Asher Khan, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, launching the event said this year’s programme, aside the three main categories for entries which are Internet of Things apps that address local problems, mobile apps and animated videos, there were two new additions-the introduction of the best female project and the katAppult initiative.

He said these additions were as a result of evaluations made of the previous versions that showed that the competitions over the years had been male dominated and the need to encourage female participation.

Mr. Khan explained that the katAppult initiative was a commercialization project that sought to refine and commercialize winning ideas of MTN Apps challenge creators.

He said this would be done in a four-pronged process of discovering the innovation, refining the business models while looking for early adopters, developing the innovation and commercialising the innovation.

This year’s categories for the platform include; business, education, lifestyle and games, adding that participants would be expected to write scripts, create a storyboard and create 2D or 3D animation apps.

The judges for this year’s event are Ethel Cofie, Alain Gbeasor, Yaw Boakye, and Eyram Tawia of Leti Arts. The first four seasons saw very innovative and interesting apps with BuzTrick, Oware, Wheeloo and Amatsii receiving top honours in the previous years. The competition is open to university institutions, senior high schools and freelance. Prizes for overall winners of the competition range from GH¢15,000 to GH¢20,000.

 

Public Speaking A to Z: E is for Engaging

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Kafui Dey

Imagine you are in the audience at a public event. The MC introduces the speaker who shuffles to the podium and begins to speak. Not once does he look at the people who have gathered to hear him speak.One hand in his pocket, his eyes are fixed firmly on his written speech and he is determined to read it word for word. As soon as the talk is over, he slouches back to his seat without taking questions.

What would be your impression of such a speaker? Would you be excited to hear him deliver another address in future? I doubt it very much.Why is this? He failed to involve his audience. He was unable to involve them in his speech. He missed an opportunity to hold the attention of those who came to hear him speak. How can you avoid those
pitfalls and make your talk engaging?

Smile and question
An engaging speaker is one who wins the confidence and trust of their audience. And it starts before you say a word. When you are introduced walk briskly to the stage. Face the audience, keep your hands open and smile at them for about 30 seconds.

Another technique is to ask a thought-provoking question that will get them answering vocally or silently (“Who else wants to retire wealthy?”). Both techniques are sure to make you the focus of attention and get the audience involved in what is to happen.

Connect with your eyes
A sure way to disconnect from an audience is to read your whole speech verbatim. People need to have visual contact when you are talking to them and note reading robs them of that need.

What you can learn to do is break your talk down into key ideas that can fit on the back of a business card. If that is too small for you, try jotting down the highlights on a couple of Post-It notes which can be stuck on the podium for easy reference. A speech should feel like a conversation and the more you can look at the audience, the more it will resemble a chat between friends.

Make it two-way
Have you noticed how great speakers ask their audiences to respond to questions or even repeat key phrases after them? These are effective ways of connecting with people who are listening to your address. As speech can be a two-way affair if you ask for feedback during the delivery (“Are you following?”)

Allow questions and answers

Another way to foster an engaging atmosphere is to ask for questions and comments at the end of your talk. If you have been given 20 minutes to talk, try to end 5 minutes earlier so you can field a few questions. This gives the audience an opportunity to connect with you and clarify sticky points.

Keep your audience on your side by engaging them. It will improve the quality of your public speaking.

 

Oscar Yao Doe recognised again in Nigeria

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Oscar Yao Doe

For decades Oscar Yao Doe’s, the President and Executive Chairman of Eurostar Limousines and Doscar Holdings, countless charitable causes and activities have been going on under the radar. But not anymore.

Last week in Nigeria, he was for the second time in two weeks honoured, this time by The House of Odua & Queen Moremi Ajasoro Foundation, in recognition of his tireless and generous humanitarian services in a number of African countries.

His reputation as an ardent supporter of the arts, culture, education, and fashion transcends his native country, Ghana. He earned a resounding applause in Ivory Coast and Nigeria for the same reasons.

 

At an event attended by several dignitaries and held inside the Oriental Hotel Lagos, laudations were poured on Mr. Yao Doe.

He adopted the Teshie Orphanage in Accra, gave the children a royal treat by driving them in his range of luxurious vehicles owned by his Eurostar Limousines, to Golden Tulip Hotel where they had buffet lunch. He also donated to the orphanage.

Since 2012, Mr. Yao Doe has dedicated his salary in Cote d’Ivoire, where Eurostar Limousines also operates, to cater for the Bassam Orphanage in Abidjan. He is making similar contributions in Nigeria where the luxury car rental company is headquartered.

At the Sunday event, the Ooni of Ife (Supreme Head of the House of Odua) was conferred on Mr Yao Doe. He dedicated the award to his fellow countrymen and women as well as the legendary African Icon, Mama Nike Okundaye, the owner of Africa’s biggest art gallery, and Otunba Tolani Oladipo, the Owner of the Picasso Hotel Group in Nigeria.

He said he was inspired by the recognition and will continue to contribute his widow’s mite to the development and harnessing the potential of the people, especially young ones, in the continent.

YFM shuts down Junction Mall with massive birthday bash

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The Nungua Junction Mall was set ablaze Saturday night when YFM, Ghana’s number one urban radio station together with ‘The Junction Mall’ held the biggest birthday bash to celebrate their anniversary.

The YFM and Junction Mall Birthday Bash event has been viewed as the biggest musical concert so far to have taken place around Nungua and Tema. It attracted thousands of music lovers who were charged to jam the night away.

The station did not disappoint their numerous fans but brought a tall list of ‘A’ rated artistes like Edem, Ebony, King Promise, Gasmilla, Magnom, Captain Planet, Lord Paper, Darko Vibes, and Gemini among others to thrill patrons.

According to the event organizers, the event put together by YFM in collaboration with The Junction Mall achieved its purpose of giving back to society for the 9years and three years of existence respectively.

“As part of our ninth anniversary   we decided to have a big party for our fans and as usually the party was lit. We look forward to bigger and better years with all our fans and clients,” Naveen Singh, Acting General Manager for YFM stated.

He added that the event wouldn’t have been successful without the dedicated staff and stars of YFM. “A tight list of YFM top stars like Nokus, Killer Fingers, Caroline, Mz Orstin, DJ Loft and A.D. DJ and among others were there to make the night a memorable one for the entire family,” Mr Singh added.

Chris Koney column: A look at the growing Israeli – Ghana relations    

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Ami Mehl

 

Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea and regarded by Jews, Christians and several others as the biblical Holy Land with the most sacred city being Jerusalem, a place of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims since the biblical era.

Within its Old City, the Temple Mount complex includes the Dome of the Rock shrine (a 7th-century Islamic shrine with a gold dome), the historic Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (a Christian pilgrimage site). Israel’s financial hub, Tel Aviv, is known for its Bauhaus architecture and beaches.

After reopening its diplomatic mission in Ghana in the year 2011, Israel has enjoyed a thriving diplomatic relationship with Ghana. This is evident in the partnerships between both countries in several areas, from agriculture, economic, communication, health, education, water to cyber security. There are also other trade and investment ventures open to citizens of both countries for mutual benefits.

To further strengthen this relationship and increase the level of cooperation between Israel and Ghana, the Israeli Embassy in Ghana dedicated the last week of October 2017 to celebrating a fusion of Israel and Ghana cultures through arts, music and fashion. The week also witnessed an impressive selection of Israeli dishes prepared by Chefs Shaul Ben Aderet, Ben Shaham and Chef Itamar Fadida, with Israeli wine, which was presented by Tal Gal Cohen.

In an interaction with the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana in his office in Accra, Ami Mehl didn’t mince words describing some of the activities successfully undertaken due to the good relationship between both countries at the moment. He described Ghana as a leading democratic country on the continent with a lot of potentials to achieve greater things in a matter of time.

“In September this year, through the Embassy and the Ghana Israel Business Chamber (GIBC), we were able to mobilize and facilitate the participation of professionals from the water and sanitation industry to participate in the Water Technology and Environmental Control Conference and Exhibition 2017 which took in Tel Aviv. Ghana’s Agriculture Minister also went on a 10-day visit to Israel to learn more about the Israeli Agriculture Technologies,” he added.

On the subject of national development, the head of the Israeli diplomatic mission in Ghana advocated for Ghanaians to champion the course of the county’s development and believes it can be achieved with the contribution from all Ghanaians at every level. He has no doubt Ghana has the capacity to develop further with all hands on deck.

A lawyer turned diplomat and former member of the Israeli army during his mandatory military service, Ambassador Mehl described his little over two year experience in Ghana as very interesting, different from his previous job roles and also quite challenging.

“Ghanaians are very nice people, the country is good, peaceful and makes it better to work compared to other countries. Just like any other country, Ghana has its own problems but it is easier to deal with such issues in a democratic state like Ghana. That is a huge advantage for the country which should be capitalized on to attract investment and also make the country a desired destination,” he added.

In response to the direction of the Israeli mission in Ghana under his leadership, Ambassador Mehl said the core mission as an embassy is to have a good diplomatic relations with Ghana.

With Ghana being an agrarian country, the ambassador revealed a partnership being developed for the agriculture sector after a meeting between President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu at the ECOWAS Forum in June 2017 in Liberia.

“We have our international corporation which we refer to as Marshav with some of these activities taking place in Ghana. After the high level political contact between the Israeli Prime Minister and Ghanaian President, we are designing a program for Ghanaian graduates and students in agriculture to have a period of study and work in Israel. After that, they will come back to implement what they have studies and the knowledge they have acquired”.

About visas and whether they are issued on quota basis or not, Ambassador Mehl revealed that Israeli entry visas issued by the mission in Ghana are based on merit rather than quotas. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Mehl expressed his optimism about a growing Ghana-Israel relationship and advised young Ghanaians to take their studies serious in order to scale into the next chapter of their lives.

 

Harmonious Chorale holds Nine Lessons and Carols this weekend

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Harmonious Chorale

It is Christmas again and Harmonious Chorale, the nation’s leading interdenominational choral group, is set to host the 2017 edition of its annual Nine Lessons and Carols.

In collaboration with Salt and Light Music Ministry, the choral group will be performing on Sunday, 10th December, 2017 at the Police Church, 37 Area, at 4pm and under the theme: The Word Became Flesh – John 1:14a. The rate is GH¢30.

Founded in October 2005 as a quartet and later renamed a Harmonious Chorale in 2007, with an increase in numerical strength, the vision for the formation of the Harmonious Chorale was to raise a Semi- Professional Ghanaian/African choral group which could match or compete with world-class choirs in terms of performance (Music in detail), branding and organization.

Under the Chairmanship of Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries and under the directorship of James Varrick Armaah, a composer and graduate of the School of Performing Arts- Music Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, the choir is managed by an able Harmonious chorale executive committee led by the Administrator.

The Choir currently comprises of sixty (60) choristers and a keyboard orchestra of seven led by Augustine Sobeng, well trained in the rudiments of music and general music appreciation.

The Choir believes in setting standards and therefore stays committed to its dream of staging challenging concerts that do not only delight audiences locally and internationally, but also task the members to improve musically. The choir specializes in dramatizing its repertoires to its audiences, which creates an atmosphere of better understanding and appreciation.

The choir can boast of a pool of talents that include great and well – grounded singers like Kennedy Dankwa, an operatic bass singer and a vocal instructor; Gertrude A. Pratt, an operatic soprano; Adwoa Asiedu, an operatic soprano; Elizabeth Boakye, an operatic soprano and a vocal instructor; Lordina Osei, an operatic soprano; Joseph Quaynor, an operatic tenor; Dr. Cynthia Ewusi Nti, an operatic soprano; Eng. Nana Kojo Kwansa Hayles and a host of other great talents.

The Harmonious Chorale-Ghana has a culture of introducing new compositions to its audience and listeners consistently. This is due to the fact that, the choir has an in-house composer in the person of James Varrick Armaah, who doubles as the director of the choir.

Popular songs composed by James and performed by The Harmonious Chorale-Ghana include: ‘Asempapabiamati (Oye)’, ‘Menimneamenya’, ‘Se bribipapabiwasedaekyi’, ‘Sacrifice of Praise’, ‘Oseeyionawaye’, ‘Nkwagyekuruwa’, and ‘Praise Him’.

The choir continually commissions music from other great Ghanaian choral composers such as Newlove Annan, Mensah Essilfie, Asare Bediako, Amos Tetteh and many others.

 

The Harmonious Chorale-Ghana was adjudged the best choral group in the Christian community music awards 2013 with the song Asem papa biamati composed by its director. The choir was again awarded the best choral group at the Music of Ghanaian origin (MOGO) awards 2015 and was recently awarded as the recipient of the Gold award for Arts and Entertainment at the Excellent Leadership awards 2015.

First Ghanaian woman wins CEO Global awards in Gov’t Employed category

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Magdalene Appenteng displays her citation at the CEO Global Awards 2017 in South Africa

Magdalene Apenteng, the Acting Chief Director at the Ministry of Planning has been adjudged the winner in the Government Employed Official category at the 2017 CEO Global awards in South Africa.

In May 2017, she was nominated for and sailed through as a Country and Regional winner of the CEO Global…becoming the first woman from Ghana to win such award in the government employed official category.

The award is to recognise government employees who have served governments over the years in a unique way, ensuring that they have provided the best they can to serve the various governments over the years.

Mrs. Apenteng’s success was hinged on a stringent dedication to public service, having worked for over 30 years and rising through the ranks at the Ministry of Finance.

“Basically I have been in the service since 1988, so l have served the government of Ghana for almost 30 years and l believe this must have been one of the recognitions that it came about that I was given this award.

This award is very gratifying and I am very excited about it because l believe that I have actually served my nation well and l have done the best in all the capacity that I have served in”.

She served as the leader of the debt management unit at the Ministry of Finance, moved on to become a director at the Public Investment division, then elevated to a director at the financial sector division also at the Ministry of Finance.

Undeniably, all her years has been in finance, until in May this year when she was transferred to Ministry of Planning as the technical head and the team leader to establish the Ministry.

On her advice for young female executives who aim to achieve higher heights, she conceded that the working environment is hostile towards women, but encouraged them to work their hearts out.

“I want to ask that everybody gives women the chance to come on board to give off their best. We are multi-tasking [you can find a woman at home cook, you will also be working, you take care of your work and your children], I think we can actually do the job better”.

She then qualified to compete at the African level where again she emerged the winner and was recognised at a Continental gala in South Africa recently.

The African recognition programme honours excellence in the private and public sector, covers 23 economic sectors and has for the past sixteen years independently recognized those leaders who are at the pinnacle of their respective industries

Mrs. Apenteng has experience in providing consultancy services to institutions both home and abroad aside her public service work.

She is an ardent believer of integrity as a virtue for business growth and achievement of recognizable impact.

She also believes the critical success factors that have helped her in realizing her achievements include, surrounding herself with the right team and empowering them to be understand the job and discharge the work even in her absence.

“I believe the mark of a good leader is when you are not around, the work should still go on, it means your presence should not be felt much, the people you also know the job and perform their roles as expected” she told B&FT in an interview.

Belinda Ofori is the winner of the 2017 Vlisco Fashion Fund

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Belinda Ofori (middle) with her prize and flanked by the Vlisco team

And once again, textiles manufacturing giant, Vlisco, has affirmed its commitment towards the development of the local fashion industry and its growing players.

At a simple but very entertaining event last week at the Accra Mall shop, Belinda Ofori, the Founder and Creative Director of Turquoise Couture, was adjudged the 2017 winner of the annual Vlisco Fashion Fund.

In walking away with the GH¢20,000 cheque and a spot in Vlisco’s enviable masterclass, the 25 year old joins an elite group of previously unknown fashion designers who became overnight sensations in the country and now globally. They include, April Rust, She By Bena, Alinafe and a few more.

An excited Ms. Ofori, who couldn’t believe her win, assured that she is not going to relent in her efforts to become a global player in the next half decade, since she will be doing things differently.

“Fashion has been my passion for a very long time and I’m willing to follow this dream to make an impact in my country and continent. In the future, the brand would be more than just clothes; it would sell the fashion experience. A brand that delivers in real time and leverages on technological advancements to make the experience even more exciting as well as comfortable for customers,” she said.

“My aim is to create a positive impact in the design industry and wants people to express themselves through my concepts. I have worked in brand strategy and content development, and now is my time to launch ‘Turquoise’,” she added.

With over fifty applicants submitting their portfolio, CV and business plan between October 23rd and November 3rd, the numbers got whittled down to 43 before a final eight were selected to and asked to make a cocktail outfit using Vlisco fabric.

The outfit was worn by a model and presented to the jury. The four jury members are noted professionals from different areas of the African fashion industry: Araba Akompi, CEO of Stylista_GH; Afua Rida, Stylist & Fashion Blogger; Eugenia Techie-Menson, Educationist & 2014 Vlisco Ambassador; and Stephen Badu, Marketing Director.

The team of judges then settled on Belinda Ofori of the Fashion Fund 2017 for burst in creativity when using the intricate designs of Vlisco to good effect.

A product of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design, Belinda added that every time she sews, she sees her clients as a plain canvas where she is given the chance to splash colors of life and creativity.

“Every process I go through to make a piece fascinates me and every garment I make has a story or concept that transcends time,” she noted.

Having been sewing for three years now, Belinda emerged as the Best Communication Design student in KNUST and just a couple of months ago, she was selected to show her five-piece collection at the Glitz Africa fashion Week fully funded by Busy Internet.

Her dream is transforming Turquoise into a global brand and that would help her set up a tribe that empowers women and children. This group would be made up of young female visionaries and go-getters who believe in changing the status quo of the society.

“I believe Turquoise couture has something special to offer to Africa and I can’t wait to see the turn out,” she added.

Stephen Badu, Marketing Director of Vlisco Ghana, stated that Vlisco believes in creating a platform that connects Africa’s fashion talent, creativity with the knowledge and activities of the brand in the African and global context.

Mr. Badu pointed out that Vlisco would continue its relationship with the other finalists in supporting them in the journey of fashion design.

The Vlisco heritage is quite unlike any other. Since 1846, Vlisco has been creating unique textiles known as Wax Hollandais, or Dutch Wax. These textiles are cherished for their distinctive designs, colours and wax effects. A special wax process, which originates from elaborate batik techniques, ensures that every centimetre of fabric is truly unique. Vlisco is the only brand still creating authentic Dutch wax today.

“Each of our fabrics stands as an enduring mark of true Dutch craftsmanship,” he added.

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